NITROGEN OXIDES (nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, etc.) CAS #10102-43-9 (nitric oxide); CAS #10102-44-0 (nitrogen dioxide) Division of Toxicology ToxFAQsTM April 2002 This fact sheet answers the most frequently asked health questions (FAQs) about nitrogen oxides (nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, etc.). For more information, call the ATSDR Information Center at 1-888-422-8737. This fact sheet is one in a series of summaries about hazardous substances and their health effects. It is important you understand this information because this substance may harm you. The effects of exposure to any hazardous substance depend on the dose, the duration, how you are exposed, personal traits and habits, and whether other chemicals are present. HIGHLIGHTS: Everybody is exposed to small amounts of nitrogen oxides in ambient air. Higher exposure may occur by burning wood or kerosene or near gas stoves or if you smoke. Exposure to high levels of nitrogen oxides can damage the respiratory airways. Contact with the skin or eyes can cause burns. Nitrogen dioxide and nitric oxide have been found in at least 9 and 6 of the 1,585 National Priorities List sites identified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), respectively. What are nitrogen oxides? found in the air. The reaction of nitrogen dioxide with Nitrogen oxides are a mixture of gases that are composed of chemicals produced by sunlight leads to the formation of nitrogen and oxygen. Two of the most toxicologically nitric acid, which is a major constituent of acid rain. significant nitrogen oxides are nitric oxide and nitrogen Nitrogen dioxide also reacts with sunlight, which leads to the dioxide; both are nonflammable and colorless to brown at formation of ozone and smog conditions in the air we room temperature. Nitric oxide is a sharp sweet-smelling gas breathe. at room temperature, whereas nitrogen dioxide has a strong, ‘ Small amounts of nitrogen oxides may evaporate from harsh odor and is a liquid at room temperature, becoming a water, but most of it will react with water and form nitric acid. reddish-brown gas above 70 EF. ‘ When released to soil, small amounts of nitrogen oxides may evaporate into air. However, most of it will be Nitrogen oxides are released to the air from the exhaust of converted to nitric acid or other compounds. motor vehicles, the burning of coal, oil, or natural gas, and ‘ Nitrogen oxides do not build up in the food chain. during processes such as arc welding, electroplating, engraving, and dynamite blasting. They are also produced How might I be exposed to nitrogen oxides? commercially by reacting nitric acid with metals or cellulose. ‘ The general population is primarily exposed to nitrogen oxides by breathing in air. People who live near combustion Nitrogen oxides are used in the production of nitric acid, sources such as coal burning power plants or areas with lacquers, dyes, and other chemicals. Nitrogen oxides are heavy motor vehicle use may be exposed to higher levels of also used in rocket fuels, nitration of organic chemicals, and nitrogen oxides. the manufacture of explosives. ‘ Households that burn a lot of wood or use kerosene heaters and gas stoves tend to have higher levels of What happens to nitrogen oxides when they enter nitrogen oxides in them when compared to houses without the environment? these appliances. ‘ Nitrogen oxides are broken down rapidly in the ‘ Nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide are found in tobacco atmosphere by reacting with other substances commonly smoke, so people who smoke or breathe in second-hand smoke may be exposed to nitrogen oxides. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry NITROGEN OXIDES (nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, etc.) Page 2 CAS #10102-43-9 (nitric oxide); CAS #10102-44-0 (nitrogen dioxide) ToxFAQsTM Internet address is http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaq.html ‘ Workers employed in facilities that produce nitric acid or also caused changes in the genetic material of animal cells. certain explosives like dynamite and trinitrotoluene (TNT), as But we do not know if exposure to nitrogen oxides might well as workers involved in the welding of metals may breath cause developmental effects in humans. in nitrogen oxides during their work. How can families reduce the risk of exposure to How can nitrogen oxides affect my health? nitrogen oxides? Low levels of nitrogen oxides in the air can irritate your eyes, Families with indoor gas stoves, space heaters, or indoor nose, throat, and lungs, possibly causing you to cough and cigarette smoke can minimize indoor exposure to nitrogen experience shortness of breath, tiredness, and nausea. oxides by periodically allowing fresh outdoor air into the Exposure to low levels can also result in fluid build-up in the home. Farm families should not allow children to play near lungs 1 or 2 days after exposure. Breathing high levels of silos that contain silage. nitrogen oxides can cause rapid burning, spasms, and swelling of tissues in the throat and upper respiratory tract, Is there a medical test to show whether I’ve been reduced oxygenation of body tissues, a build-up of fluid in exposed to nitrogen oxides? your lungs, and death. Specific tests for the presence of nitrogen oxides in blood or If you were to come into skin or eye contact with high urine are not generally useful to the doctor. If a severe concentrations of nitrogen oxide gases or nitrogen dioxide exposure has occurred, blood and urine analyses and other liquid, you would likely experience serious burns. tests may show whether damage has been done to your respiratory airways. Some of these tests may be done at the We do not know if exposure to nitrogen oxides will result in doctor’s office, others may require a clinic or hospital that reproductive effects in humans. have specialized equipment. How likely are nitrogen oxides to cause cancer? Has the federal government made The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), the recommendations to protect human health? International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), and the The EPA has established that the average concentration of EPA have not classified nitrogen oxides for potential nitrogen dioxide in ambient air in a calendar year should not carcinogenicity. exceed 0.053 parts of nitrogen dioxide per million parts of air (0.053 ppm). How can nitrogen oxides affect children? Children would probably be affected by exposure to nitrogen The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) oxides in the same ways as adults. But we do not know has set a limit of 25 ppm of nitric oxide in workplace air whether children differ from adults in their susceptibility to during an 8-hour workday, 40-hour work week. OSHA has nitrogen oxides. also set a 15-minute exposure limit of 5 ppm for nitrogen dioxide in workplace air. Exposure of pregnant animals to nitrogen oxides has resulted in toxic effects in developing fetuses. Nitrogen oxides have Where can I get more information? For more information, contact the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Division of Toxicology, 1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop F-32, Atlanta, GA 30333. Phone: 1-888-422-8737, FAX: 770-488-4178. ToxFAQsTM Internet address is http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaq.html . ATSDR can tell you where to find occupational and environmental health clinics. Their specialists can recognize, evaluate, and treat illnesses resulting from exposure to hazardous substances. You can also contact your community or state health or environmental quality department if you have any more questions or concerns. Federal Recycling Program Printed on Recycled Paper .